Turbulence

BeReal

BeReal

Well-Known Member
I was a passenger (I'm not a pilot) last week on a flight to ABQ. There was a fair amount of turbulence during our descent causing the plane to roll about 15 degrees in either direction at times. It finally smoothed out at about 1000 feet and we landed okay. Given that we landed at about 6:00 a.m. local time, and there probably weren't any PIREPs available, how would you captains know if there's too much turbulence at the surface to land? Or is it reported as wind sheer at the surface? Does ABQ have a wind sheer alert system?
 
I'm sure ABQ has a LLWS reporting system so it would be reported that way. Also, the current winds would be on the ATIS and passed along to the crew by tower along with a landing clearance if they were a potential issue. Also, even having PIREPs from traffic ahead on the arrival and approach isn't always that helpful as the moderate turbulence reported by a small Cessna may not be felt in a bigger jet.

In general the only time I've heard Transport Category aircraft start asking for details of a turbulence PIREP was when it was tagged as "sever".
 
Thanks, BobDDuck. I didn't think about the ATIS. That makes sense. It was my first time flying after getting my DX license, and I found myself over-thinking everything. Sometimes ignorance IS bliss.
 
Somepeople know the airports pretty well too. I mean, some places with ridges produce some nasty stuff. AVP in PA can be "fun" when the wind is ripping right of the ridge. It won't come up in the atis but you can pretty much expect it if the winds are coming off the ridges.
 
Crockrocket94 said:
Somepeople know the airports pretty well too. I mean, some places with ridges produce some nasty stuff. AVP in PA can be "fun" when the wind is ripping right of the ridge. It won't come up in the atis but you can pretty much expect it if the winds are coming off the ridges.
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Like 80% of the time during the winter when winds at 6000' are over 60knts, the shear you experience when you get below the ridge, probably 800-1200' above FE is nuts.


That being said, visual approaches from the East are just about the most fun you can have flying the Dash. That and the ILS 22R circle to 29 in EWR when tower asks you to "keep it tight"
 
Pilotforhire587 said:
Like 80% of the time during the winter when winds at 6000' are over 60knts, the shear you experience when you get below the ridge, probably 800-1200' above FE is nuts.


That being said, visual approaches from the East are just about the most fun you can have flying the Dash. That and the ILS 22R circle to 29 in EWR when tower asks you to "keep it tight"
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Unless you're on fire, you will sadly never get to try the VOR-A circle to land 19 at TEB. That is fun on a stick right there.
 
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